​BALTIMORE — Samuel Basallo stood still for a moment, then broke into a wide smile, tossed his bat aside, and shouted with passion toward the sea of orange fans packed behind the Orioles’ dugout. His eighth-inning homer barely clung inside the right-field foul pole, but its impact was anything but marginal, sending Camden Yards into a frenzy and giving Baltimore a two-run cushion in a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday. The 373-foot shot marked Basallo’s 15th homer of the season and his third in July, already matching the total he posted in June. It came after Orioles starter Brandon Young surrendered a game-tying homer in the top of the inning to Royals left fielder Isaac Collins.
Closer Andrew Kittredge locked down the final three outs for the second consecutive game, notching his third save of the season. Baltimore had led most of the game, with its middle infielders launching the decisive sequence in the second inning. Jackson Holliday began the rally by lining a single through the right side to score Dylan Beavers with two outs, extending Holliday’s on-base streak to seven consecutive plate appearances. The rookie shortstop finished a day on which he went 4-for-4 on Wednesday and drew two walks on Thursday after entering as a pinch-hitter, continuing a hot stretch that has helped energize Baltimore’s offense.
Holliday had endured a rough June, hitting just .179, but he arrived Friday with a .308 average in July, a notable uptick that stood in sharp contrast to Gunnar Henderson’s month. Henderson, formerly a standout in the All-Star mix, collected only three hits in 27 at-bats this month, much of it due to hard-hit outs. In the first inning, he struck out on a ball with an exit velocity approaching 100 mph, a reminder of how tough his recent at-bats have been. Yet he broke through in the following frame,singling to center to push Baltimore’s lead back to two as the Orioles maintained their early advantage.
Manager Craig Albernaz has praised Henderson for his resilience, calling him mentally tough and focused on the game regardless of the outcomes. Henderson did not record a multi-hit game on the day, but he contributed defensively with a strong sliding stop that helped turn a double play in the second inning. The early lead, once established, was precariously perched as Young attempted to protect it, but the Royals pulled even briefly before Baltimore regained momentum.
The fourth inning offered a pitching duel with a highlight for Kansas City: Jac Caglianone belted a 368-foot homer off Young’s splitter—the first time this season a hitter has connected off that pitch—bridging the score to one run apiece. Yet in the bottom half of the frame, the Orioles reclaimed the advantage on a long blast of their own. Blaze Alexander delivered a career-best 436-foot homer, his fourth of the season and his first since June 21, restoring Baltimore’s lead. Alexander’s performance since May 1 has been among the league’s very best, posting a .353 average during that span, second only to one or two of the sport’s elite hitters and the best in the American League.
“Is it hot or is it just normal?” Pete Alonso joked before the game when asked about Alexander’s streak. “He’s just been a huge boost for us. … The sky’s the limit. He’s really doing an incredible job of seizing his opportunity.” Alexander’s momentum, combined with Holliday’s on-base prowess and Basallo’s late-game power, gave Baltimore the edge it needed to close out the Royals and keep them in the hunt as the season moves forward.
In sum, Friday’s game showcased a Baltimore lineup that has found renewed momentum from its younger players: Holliday’s rapid development at the top of the order, Basallo’s timely power in the eighth, and Alexander’s breakout season-style performance at the hot corner. For a team that has faced its share of struggles, this win offered both a spark and a blueprint—continued offensive production from a deep, growing core, and a late-inning bullpen effort that delivered when it mattered most.